04/04/2016
Baptism
By Gene Blankenship, Jr.
After the birth of our Grandson our Daughter asked a question about infant baptism. Her best friend and the god-mother of her son, asked if she was going to have him baptized. It brought up a good topic for a Sunday morning discussion and makes for a great teachable moment.
At its foundation Baptism, is following the example of Christ. Mark 1: 4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. HCSB
John the Baptist, Jesus cousin, was preaching repentance and teaching dying to sin and rising to a new life. Dying to sin is putting away our selfish ambitions, temptations, in other words begin a new life allowing Christ to take up first place in our lives. Our sin nature is referred to as “the old man”, our life in Christ is considered a new birth. John 3:3 Jesus replied, "I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." HCSB
Should a newborn baby be baptized? What age is appropriate to be baptized?
Baptism represents putting away our “old man”, being dunked into the water then rising to walk in newness of life with Christ, coming up out of the water. Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life. HCSB
We don’t have to perform to get Gods attention, instead, simply allow Christ to take first place in our everyday lives. That requires faith. Baptism is simply following Christ example. It’s an example of God reaching to all man-kind.
Mark 1:9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 As soon as He came up out of the water, He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending to Him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son; I take delight in You! (HCSB)
Marks account gives us a view of the triune God, the Father, the voice from heaven; the Spirit, the image of the dove descending to Christ; and the Son, Jesus Christ. We are to follow Christ life as an example for our daily living. It’s not complicated, we don’t have to make noise and try to get Gods attention by trying to be good, volunteering, saving the animals or even going to church. Those attempts don’t mean a thing in the pursuit of Gods favor. Only following Christ and allowing Him to take up first place in your life will matter in your relationship with God. What does that look like? You begin to associate with other Christ followers within a Bible believing church; study Gods word in a small group that you relate too; allow Christ to guide your everyday, ordinary life.
Jesus was baptized by his cousin, the evangelist, in the Jordan River. Baptism isn’t as much about where it takes place, as it is how it takes place. We began by talking about Baptism, John the Baptist taught, is as an outward action of obedience to repentance. Then, an inward change from self which is an act of emulating Christ. It is a conscious decision we make to turn away from sin. A baby doesn’t have the knowledge of sin, that is to say, right and wrong or the ability to make that decision yet. Parents may choose to dedicate their child in church, as an outward expression of their commitment to raise their children in a Christ filled home. Then as the children grow in the knowledge of God they learn how to ask Christ into their own lives. Our Daughter committed her life to Christ at the age of 11 and was baptized on Easter Sunday. For now, let’s consider the act of Baptism as the ability to make a conscience decision to emulate Christ example as we turn from our sinful nature. If we raise our children in a Christ filled home they will come to this knowledge through sound Biblical teaching and our example as parents. Then they will be able to make that choice as Christ leads them. It still presents a lot of questions.
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Sin represents separation from a Holy God. That separation does not have to remain, we have an advocate in Gods son, Christ Jesus. Christ paid the price for our sins by dying on a cross, defeating death, rising to life, taking up the seat on the right hand of God, his Father. Christ intercedes on our behalf if we just simply turn from our sin, by faith ask Christ to live in our hearts and follow His example through our lives. Baptism doesn’t save us from our sins, it is an act of obedience as we begin to be more Christ-like.
